CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
To submit information for news briefs, send an e-mail to airlift.dispatch@charleston.af.mil with subject NEWS BRIEFS. Submissions must be received no later than close of business Friday the week before publication.
Spotlight
Retirement: The 437th Security Forces Squadron will host a retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. Ronald Whidden March 20 at 2 p.m. in the Charleston Club. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Sabrina Witt at 963-5791 or Tech. Sgt. Edward Meredith at 963-8246
Langley Winds Ensemble: The Langley Winds Ensemble from Langley AFB, Va., will perform a series of concerts in the Lowcountry March13 to 17.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, (downtown) Charleston, March 13, 7 p.m.
The Palms of Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Pleasant, March 14, 4:30 p.m.
Station 22, Sullivan's Island, March 15, 3 p.m.
Church of our Savior, Johns Island, March 16, 7 p.m.
Bishop Gadsden Community, Charleston, March 17, 2:30 p.m.
Around the base
CAC Registration: Everyone with a common access card is required to register it in the new Defense Biometric Identification System located at the Visitor Control Center Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cards may also be registered at the 437th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight, Building 503, between 7:30 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday. For more information contact Bob Trout at 963-3623 or George Kennedy at 963-7807.
Legal assistance change of hours: Hours for legal assistance have changed. All wills and health care powers of attorney will be completed by appointment only (excluding deployers). Appointments will be available Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon. All other legal assistance (consumer affairs, divorce, etc.) will be held on a walk-in basis Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. for active-duty Airmen and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for all clients, including active-duty members. For more information or to make an appointment, contact the 437th Airlift Wing Legal Office at 963-5502.
MTIs needed: Airmen who may have missed the team's visit do not have to wait for the next visit to apply for Military Training Instructor duty. Airmen who wish to apply must be at least an airman first class with 24 months time in service up to a technical sergeant with less than 16 years of total active federal military service. Master sergeants are hired on a case-by-case basis. To obtain a copy of the Air Education and Training Command Special Duty Application, contact the wing career assistance advisor, Master Sgt. Timothy Kelly at 963-2768. For more information about being a MTI, visit the Air Force Portal under "Lackland AFB - 37 Training Wing" or call 210-671-1016 or 1018.
Free summer camp: The National Military Family Association has announced that Camp Tekoa, Henderson, N.C., has been chosen to host the 2009 Operation Purple summer camp June 7 to 10. Camp registration begins March 16 and applications will only be accepted online. Sign up at www.operationpurple.org to receive e-mail notices and camp updates. The association developed this free summer camp program in response to the need for increased support for military children, especially those whose parents are or will be deployed.
Spread the Word available electronically: An electronic version of the Spread the Word briefing is now available online at https://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/pubaffairs/word/word.asp. Briefing topics range from the assignment cycle and tempo banding to upcoming uniform changes and civilian hiring procedures. Questions can be sent to the Spread the Word team at ste.workflow@randolph.af.mil.
MDG hours of operation change: The 437th Medical Group closes the first Tuesday of every month at noon for readiness training. The medical group no longer closes the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Capt. Randall Shiflett at 963-6731.
Swim Team Registration: Registration is now underway for the Naval Weapons Station Federal Armed Services swim team for children ages 4 to 18. Registration is accepted at the NWS Youth Center through May 1. Family members of active-duty and retired military, Department of Defense and retired DoD and contractors are eligible. For registration information contact the NWS Youth Center at 764-7809. For additional program information contact the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Athletics office at 764-7530 or e-mail Greg Lutz at greg.lutz@navy.mil.
All classes and briefings sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center will be held at Building 500 unless otherwise noted. If interested in signing up for an event, call 963-4406.
Transition Assistance Program: Meet with experts from finance, the Veterans Association, SC Job Services and more on March 17 through 19 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This three-day workshop is designed for Airmen who are separating from the military. This workshop will provide Airmen with the tools needed for a successful transition into the civilian sector.
Plan your next PCS: Meet with experts March 18 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. to learn the tricks of the trade for making your first permanent change of station a smooth one an informed move is a smooth move.
Sponsor training: Learn the keys to being a good sponsor by attending this training class April 1 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Training is mandatory for first-time sponsors and those not trained in the last year.
Heartlink spouse orientation: Learn about the Air Force mission, culture, traditions, military language, benefits and services while making friends during a briefing April 7 from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. This class is only open to spouses of military members. Childcare issues will be discussed at time of registration.
Resume I and cover letter class: Learn how to put together a resume during a class April 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. The class will include the purpose of a cover letter, what it should contain as well as formats for a resume.
Resume II and cover letter class: A one-on-one class will be offered April 28 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to noon to learn how to finalize a resume and cover letter.
Career Fair: The Naval Weapons Station Charleston's Fleet and Family support center in cooperation with the A&FRC will be hosting their semi-annual joint Navy and Air Force Job Fair April 9 at the Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic Conference Center, Bldg., 3112 in North Charleston. The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and only valid military identification card holders may attend.
Family pre-deployment briefing: Families of Airmen deploying within the next 30 days can meet every Tuesday and Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. The briefing provides information on all realms of deployments, and there will be tips for a successful deployment for both the Airman deploying and his or her family.
Reintegration seminar: There is a reintegration seminar every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. and every Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m., for Airmen returning from a deployment to help them reintegrate back into their family lives.
SC employment services: A representative from the South Carolina Employment Services is here every Wednesday to meet with job seekers. Half-hour appointments are held from 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals seeking an appointment must register online before the appointment at www.scjoblink.org.
MFLC Program: The A&FRC now has a Military Family Life Consultant who is available by phone at 609-8717, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and available on weekends as well. The service is free and confidential with some restrictions and no kept records or documents. The consultant can also meet with Team Charleston Airmen on base or in a public setting such as a library or a restaurant. The consultant acts as a "life coach" in preventing issues from becoming problems and work with a wide variety of issues including relationships, anger and stress management, communications, parenting, work-related stress, decision-making skills, issues related to deployments and other "life adjustments."
Airman's Attic in need of donations: The Airman's Attic is in need of household items, children's clothing to size eight, appliances, food and furniture. If anyone has items that have been gently used, consider donating them to the attic. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Betsy Crump at 963-4411.
Airman's Attic needs volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help at the Airman's Attic located in the A&FRC Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sort donations and assist customers. There is also a need for individuals who own a truck or a trailer to volunteer as delivery drivers. Volunteers are eligible to participate in the base Recognizing Achievement and Volunteer Excellence program, which provides monthly incentives based on the number of hours volunteered. For more information, call 963-4408.
New Science Magnet School for middle school students: Base residents with children attending middle school, grades 6-8 in the 2009/2010 school year who would like to attend the new Charleston County Zucker Middle School, a partial science magnet school, must complete and submit their application by March 15. Charleston County School District officials anticipate that base residents will be zoned for the new school, but a final decision on zoning has not been made. Applications can be found online at www.ccsdschools.com under "School Choice: A Portfolio of Options," or can be picked up at the A&FRC.
Consignment shop re-opens: The base consignment shop has recently re-opened and the hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Consignments and donations are also accepted during these times. For more information, contact Julie Brady at 963-3294.
TSP transfers to Roth IRAs: Separated Thrift Savings Plan participants and active participants eligible for age based in-service withdrawals now have the option to transfer all or part of TSP withdrawal payments to a Roth Individual Retirement Account as well as to traditional IRAs or other eligible employer plans. Keep in mind that members must meet eligibility criteria and they must pay tax on any amount that is transferred into a Roth IRA for the year of the transfer. For more information, see the "Questions and Answers" on the TSP Web site or the TSP tax notice "Important Tax Information About Payments From Your TSP Account," available from the TSP Web site, www.tsp.gov, or by calling the ThriftLine at 877-968-3778.
More storage available: The recreational vehicle storage lot has available spaces for boats, campers or trailers not exceeding 30 feet in length for individuals living on or off base. The fee is $35 per month or $360 per year. For more information, contact the Outdoor Recreation Center at 963-5271.